Branham: Aspen wilderness is not for sale

Our public lands are an heirloom for the future. They are not for sale. But there is a very ugly provision buried in the bill before the Senate right now that would seek to change that. A few lines of text that would decimate our treasured wildness forever.

A provision has been quietly reintroduced that would make over 250 million acres of public lands eligible for sale in the bill, including more than 14 million acres of federal public land in Colorado alone. Aspen is on the chopping block.

Larges tract of land that could be shamefully sold off under the cover of darkness includes a swath of Maroon Creek Valley, chunks of Snowmass, Highlands, and forest stretching up Independence Pass and all the way to Ashcroft. In essence, a theft of Aspen itself. A ruination of what makes this place a haven and an oasis for people, wildlife, plants, trees, birds, and the 250-plus animals who live here. This is prime recreation, wildlife, historic, and cultural lands. Such a shortsighted and ignorant decision would decimate and ruin our pristine wilderness. We cannot let that happen. Not in our backyard.

The map of the selloff makes me physically ill. It is a surgical destruction of Burnt Mountain, Highland Peak, Queens Gulch, Bell, Smuggler, and Red mountains.

The sale of these lands is not the answer. Can you put a price on the wild? Exchanging the planet for a tax break is unethical. And no, this has nothing to do with affordable housing. There are virtually no safeguards on what land can be sold, for what purpose, or to whom. Zero public and or local input is required. Can you imagine what would happen?

The public is in an outcry. And we should be furious. I am shocked that elected officials would so blindly support a measure that would cut and destroy our country’s most precious resource. Our mountains, aspens, pines, and rivers. The very essence of what makes Colorado beautiful. Our shining crown jewel and our children’s inheritance.

The treasure of the West transcends party lines and politics. Public lands are for the public’s benefit. Conservation is a bipartisan value and is certainly a Republican legacy Teddy Roosevelt would be irate if he were alive today.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, including Aspen, was the only member of Colorado’s Republican House delegation to oppose the measure or speak publicly about public lands sale. Now it is up to Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper — we are looking at you.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is the mastermind behind this bill. He must be held accountable.

If you have levers of influence, use them now. Tell the senators to vote “NO” on the reconciliation bill. It is the right thing to do.

These lands belong to all Americans. Once they’re sold, they’re gone for good. We can’t let that happen. Because beauty does not have a price tag.